After a week of spring practices, USC coach Pete Carroll isstarting to feel like some of the Trojans’ perceived weaknesses might be strengths for next season.

The conventional wisdom is that quarterback, linebacker and defensive line will be trouble spots or at least question marks. But Carroll told his staff he is not as overly concerned after watching four practices.

“I was kind of excited talking to the staff about what we’re seeing,” Carroll said. “The quarterbacks are competing. It’s not that we won’t have one but which one will be the starter?”

“Malcolm, Chris and Mike jumped right in there and have been playing fine,” Carroll said. “And (reserves) Luthur Brown and Jordan Campbell look the part and know the stuff.”

The position should be bolstered in the fall when highly touted recruits Jarvis Jones and Frankie Telfort arrive.

Carroll feels even better about the defensive line despite the loss of defensive end Clay Matthews, expected to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, and Fili Moala, projected to be picked in the second to third rounds.

“I know it’s early in the spring and the offensive line takes longer to develop, but the defensive line is having a lot of success against a pretty experienced offensive line,” Carroll said. “They’re not struggling, and better than they were at the end of the season. Jurrell Casey, Armond Armstead and Everson Griffen are all playing hard and making an impression. Griffen understands why Clay played so much last year.”

A couple other questions involve the No. 3 wide receiver spot, where David Ausberry is ahead, but Carroll said redshirt Brice Butler could see time.

“Brice wasn’t with us last time (because he redshirted), but he’s got a chance,” Carroll said.

The tailback position is in flux and Carroll spent most of the week looking at reserves Marc Tyler and Curtis McNeal.

“Curtis has taken advantage of this time, he’s a good pass protector,” Carroll said.

Halfway mark

Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who really runs the offense and calls the plays, said the Trojans installed about half the offense in the first four practices.

“There’s a lot of football we’re throwing at them,” Bates said. “It usually takes eight or nine days for the installation. We’re in pretty good shape right now.”

Concussion test

Fullback D.J. Shoemate will undergo a test today to see if he can be cleared following last week’s concussion.

Sort-of-scrimmage

USC holds a regular practice today and then will go full contact at the end so it is not a full-fledged scrimmage.

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